Kat Donatello is the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at Austin and Kat, which specializes in natural, holistic pet supplements. Fueled by her dedication to animal health, Kat transitioned from a high-level athlete and race director to a trailblazer in the CBD pet wellness space. Starting in her home kitchen with all-natural remedies to improv…

Michael Soler is the Founder of Blue Line K-9 Dog Training, a team of highly qualified and experienced dog trainers focused on improving the lives of pet owners and their companions. With over 20 years of experience, Michael is a decorated Marine veteran, an accomplished entrepreneur, a keynote speaker, and a recognized authority in dog training. H…

Sara McCarville is the Founder and CEO of MAVRIK equine, a pioneering company dedicated to enhancing horse health and performance through innovative solutions and comprehensive care. Sara is also the CEO of Sterling Essentials, an all-natural essential oil-based leather cleaner and conditioner company. Sara's expertise in equine management has led …

Mindy Dutka is a visual storyteller, dog advocate, and commercial dog photographer for Dogs I Meet, providing mission-driven photography for brands and animal welfare organizations. Dogs supported her during the most challenging times of her life, inspiring her to rekindle her passion for photography. Now, Mindy partners with brands and mission-dri…

Sharon Tuggle is the Founder and CEO of 5 Element Food Therapy, an innovative venture dedicated to enhancing pet health through nutrition. Her journey into the pet care industry began with a personal experience involving her dog's health crisis, igniting her passion for the healing power of food rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. This led Shar…

Joshua Honcoop is the Founder and CEO of Honcoop Natural Pet Food, a leading innovator in the high-end pet food industry. Driven by a passion for crafting nourishing meals for dogs, Honcoop prioritizes canine well-being by focusing on natural baked treats and promoting gut health through specialized products. Joshua and his team offer nutrition con…

Melinda Kirk Stenger is the CEO and Founder of PetCakes by Lucky Paws, a complete baking kit for cats and dogs and winner of the Best in Show Award at the Global Pet Expo 2023. A dynamic entrepreneur with over 20 years of canine culinary experience, Melinda spearheaded the development of the first-ever DIY organic microwavable pet treats, revolutio…

Jordan Sand is Co-founder of Cold Water Technologies, the brand behind Happy Scratch technology, a supplemental formula that supports skin health to relieve pet allergies. As an add-on to pet food, the formula decreases hotspots and itching. Jordan developed Happy Scratch after receiving a post-doctorate degree in molecular and environmental toxico…

Rianna Young is the Founder and CEO of Happy Hounds, a premium pet treat and tincture company that strives to improve pets' quality of life by reducing anxiety and pain. NY Cannabis Insider has recognized Rianna as one of New York’s Women in Cannabis. She previously worked in various local and state government roles in New York, including Chief of …

Gerry Romanelli is an entrepreneur, small business owner, and franchisee of multiple brands including Hounds Town, Units Storage, Fetch!, and Furry Land. His background in transportation and logistics, highlighted by extensive business experience, has helped shape his understanding of the latest products, services, and standards in the market. Gerr…

David Masulli is the CRM Manager at Pet Food Experts, a leading pet food and supplies distributor partnering with over 6,500 retailers across the US. A RevOps veteran with a background in marketing automation and HubSpot administration, David has a proven track record of optimizing e-commerce revenue and developing compelling marketing campaigns. L…

Maya Barkay is Vice President of Marketing at EverC, a cyber intelligence company providing financial institutions, vendors, and merchants with risk management services. With over two decades of marketing and leadership expertise, she is a seasoned professional renowned for her strategic prowess. Throughout her career, Maya has spearheaded impactfu…

Luke Silverman is the Co-founder and CEO of Bark Social, a social experience integrating three of life’s pleasures: the companionship of dogs, the indulgence of libations, and freshly brewed coffee. Wanting his dog to live his best life, Luke was inspired to create this first-of-its-kind concept. He is a third-generation restaurateur who grew up le…

Brad Shear is the CEO of Potter League for Animals, the largest animal wellness organization in Rhode Island, which provides shelter and care for dogs. He’s been in the animal wellness industry for over 29 years, contributing to multiple regional and national organizations. Before Potter League, Brad led the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society as Presiden…

Darby Copenhaver is a Scale Specialist and Sales Coach at Agency 360, a marketing analytics solution helping businesses manage leads, advertisements, and social media marketing. In his role, he helps business owners transform their design agency burdens into assets that create predictability, wealth, and freedom. Before Agency 360, Darby worked as …

Dan Coughlin is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Get Hyped, a leading influencer and social media marketing agency. His keen eye for innovation and passion for delivering measurable results with influencers have helped Dan navigate brands to unprecedented heights across an ever-evolving social media landscape. Now a seasoned marketing strate…

Jessie Wallace is a Marketing Coordinator at Nordblom Company, a multifaceted real estate enterprise investing in commercial, life science, biomedical, retail, and multi-family properties based in Massachusetts. In her role, Jessie oversees marketing initiatives for the commercial, residential, and corporate teams. She has over 10 years of experien…

Ian Garlic is the Founder of Video Cast Story, an agency that supports brands in developing strategies and goals for video case stories. He is also the Founder of StoryCrews, a company dedicated to connecting businesses with top-rated videographers to help them market and expand their brands through powerful video stories. With over 15 years of exp…

Cindy Dunston Quirk is the Founder and Chief Dog Lover at Scout and Zoe’s Premium Pet Products, a company producing chews and treats made solely of American-sourced, human-grade raw ingredients. What started as an idea to cure allergy issues for her puppies Scout and Zoey evolved into a global enterprise creating products for dogs, cats, and small …

Johan Axelsson is the Founder and former President of LeanSwift, a global leader in e-commerce and mobile solutions focused on customers in manufacturing, food and beverage, distribution, and fashion. He is also the current Global Consulting Head of Infor Practice at Wipro. As a serial entrepreneur who founded and exited companies, Johan has over 2…

Todd Dittman is the Executive Director of IndiePet, a trade association that supports independent and neighborhood retail pet stores and manufacturers and the service providers that serve them. As the inaugural Executive Director of IndiePet, Todd is responsible for educating board members, defining manufacturing standards, providing competitive op…

Shannon Rosic is the Director of WealthStack Content & Solutions at Informa, a British international event, digital services, and academic knowledge group specializing in publishing, business intelligence, and exhibitions. Shannon has an extensive resume, working in B2B digital marketing, financial technology, and multimedia. Before joining Informa…

Mark Bevington is the CEO of Ninedot, a Providence, Rhode Island-based design agency focused on helping businesses grow. Mark has been in the advertising business for over 20 years, starting his career as a graphic artist for Circle.com. Beyond his CEO efforts, Mark serves on the advisory board at the American Institute of Graphic Arts Rhode Island…